Donny and Jordan are in Uganda

Donny graduated from Baylor University two weeks ago. We had a fun weekend in Waco with extended family traveling from all over the country to celebrate with him. Every parent who watches a first-born walk the graduation stage has a bundle of exploding emotion happening all at once. Craig and I are often a little confused to realize our son has done what we feel oftentimes was just yesterday for ourselves. He’s going to A&M in the fall to get a masters in Human Resources management. Funny, he has realized he’s specifically gifted in the same way his father is and so he will pursue a similar career. It is an amazing feeling to see your child work hard, achieve, and pursue a goal that will give him complete independence from the nest. Most importantly we know he is following God’s plan for his life, not ours. He’s made the big transfer from being accountable to his parents to accountable to God for the choices he makes with his life. That was my only goal for him. Craig and I need to hope we can get that done four more times.

Donny and his Dad

Jordan celebrates his nineteenth birthday today! He finished his freshman year of college at Oklahoma Baptist University immersed in the culture of college and lapping up his Christian education. He is thinking about international missions! I know someone who does that! ( I could have been exceedingly thankful for the education he’s receiving … seems though I always have to learn things the hard knock way.) He continues to lift weights and the dude is huge. His goal seems to be to at least lift the same max that Craig did at his age. Jordan wasn’t one to embrace high school, but now that he can study what is interesting to him, he loves school. When he is passionate about something he’s brilliant.

sibs with the graduate

Both of our college boys sought summer internships but nothing really surfaced that was useful. Craig and I agreed we weren’t giving them a holiday at home. That’s not the LaTorre way. We offered them internships in Uganda, and they both embraced the opportunity enthusiastically. So, on Thursday morning they flew to Uganda to work at the Kirabo Seeds children’s home. They’ll be there for half the summer serving and working long hours. Donny can help us with some HR administration as we develop some internal structure. And Jordan is getting three credits for this work if he writes a few papers and reads a few books! He looks forward to teaching the children in devotions. This is something I definitely need to pursue with some universities. I’d be interested in offering long-term internships like Christopher was able to do at our home and be able to work in partnership with educators.

Phiona sent me this photo of them yesterday helping

Jordan and Donny had their first day together with the family yesterday. The children were beyond excited to receive these boys for half the summer. They only met Jordan shortly after opening our home, but Donny was there in January with us. Christopher and I came up with a job description for interns so our boys sat down with a list of jobs, ways of participating, directions for serving, and a rigorous schedule to follow. If they think helping with Kira is tiring, they are in for an education about tired when they try to put 17 kids to bed on time for the first time. I giggle to imagine them collapsing after that ordeal.

chicken slaughter

On their first day Phiona sent me photos of them peeling potatoes and cooking chipote bread. I warned the boys that they have to ask Auntie Julie three times for a job. The first time she will say no. Then she will look at you the second time to see if you mean it. The third time she will hand you a knife and some work. I was happy to see them doing kitchen work. It must have been a real spectacle for the children because in their culture men don’t do kitchen work. In our house though, they do. That’s one downside of having an opinionated American on the team.

making chipote bread

They also slaughtered a few chickens yesterday. Jordan had no idea all this special food and prep was to celebrate his birthday today. See, if you are a special guest and you are celebrating an occasion in Uganda, a chicken will be slaughtered in your honor and you will eat it! Auntie Julie is also making a cake, which is done only on special occasions. This is not a culture of desert eaters. My Jordan is a big teddy bear. He’s all mush in his heart and tender with devoted love. His loyalty to family and friends outshines anything I’ve ever seen in other relationships. This birthday celebration will mean a lot to him. It will show him this is his family too.

little rhonah with lipstick!

I have to say it is the best feeling to know our two eldest sons have chosen to go to Uganda for an extended amount of time and serve the children and staff at Kirabo Seeds. This is going to stretch them in ways only God and orphan care can do. They are eager to lean hard on God and learn things that can’t be found on the comfort of our couch here at home. They are hoping to discover parts of themselves they have yet to uncover, plans God has, directions for the future, understanding and living out of ideas as they become life in practice.

this is silly Jack here at home with Jones in his shirt

It is one thing to think about making a difference. It’s really something when you take the leap, become vulnerable, take risks and actually GO make a difference. It can’t be read in a book. It can’t be found in a class or small group. It makes no difference as an idea. I frankly got really tired of talking about what Christians should do in small groups. It was the greatest relief of my life when we were able to serve God by opening an orphanage in Uganda. I like to get my hands in there and get dirty. I was eager to make a lifetime commitment to the cause. I’d lay my life down for this work. It is the greatest relief to feel secure knowing I’m inside God’s will for my life, no matter how hard it can be. I hope my children find that. I love it that we can connect people with the same desire to help us as sponsors to our children. It is our family of sponsors who are really making this work possible! The children know God has softened the hearts of sponsors to care for them, and help them have an education, medical care, home, parenting, safety and love. Now, I am so excited to see how this opportunity to serve is going to affect our boys.

Responses

I just can’t believe Donny has graduated … love the family photo so much! What a wonderful opportunity for your boys to spend this time in Uganda. GOD has opened so many amazing doors. You would be an ideal person to coordinate ministry opportunities with colleges! I am curious, does Jordan know what direction he’d like to go in international missions (for instance, church ministries or para-church ministries such as service projects?) Can’t wait to see what GOD has in store for him!

I am so pleased for you as a family,you must be indeed grateful that your son in this most challenging times where the christian faith is being sidelined to see a young person professing a faith must be very fulfilling for parents.Wish him and you all the best for the future.

Congratulations to the LaTorre family! Harrison graduated in December and is working at Camp Cho-yeh this summer as a counselor. He’s looking forward to applying the training and actually getting to work with youth. Youth ministry is his passion….We’re praying God will make it evident whether this is His will for Harrison’s career. He’s still searching and trying to patiently wait. It’s such an exciting time to see our kids grow and spread their wings, yet carefully aligning their desires with God’s! Praying God’s blessings upon Donny and Jordan as they bless those they are serving!!

Blogroll

Go Beyond Blog
This is the site of my mission pastor, whom is leading our mission trip to Uganda.

Kirabo Seeds
This is our new website for our own nonprofit we have established to benefit the orphans and widows in Uganda. The site is under construction, but we have big plans for it so keep checking in!

Melissa Busby
Melissa writes about her adoption journey, her living experiences in Uganda, and the Oasis orphanage she is helping.

Mzungu Mama
the whole Ugandan story for this mzungu Mama… and current events with the orphanage…this is a private blog, and if you log in I will have to approve your presence there so I can protect those I love in Uganda.

The Garcia Family
Steph and Pedro are missionaries in northern Chile. They have three adopted children and are expecting two more very soon from Haiti.

uganda adoption blogs
A good collection of information about people adopting from Uganda and how to learn more if you are interested in adopting!

Watoto in Uganda
You will learn from many stories about Uganda from this website. Watoto has an excellent model for giving a hand up not a hand out to the war torn people of Uganda.

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